After the COE: getting a Visa for Japan

 

I have recently received my COE after a much nervous wait of a few months (see this post), but a COE is not a Visa despite it doing most of the heavy lifting from an immigration perspective. You still need a Visa to be able to enter Japan. (My overview of different Visa's is here). The Visa is a bit of a formality and here is how my application panned out.

As soon as the COE was issued in Japan, I got to work completing the Visa application form (found here) so I was ready to go as soon a possible. I had to get another set of passport photos done as strangely the size required for the COE is not standard (40x30mm), whereas the ones required for the Visa application are standard passport sized. (45x35mm). The form also seemed to be pretty standard in that there was not different options for different types of visa - I surmise that the COE is the part which is the point of difference.

The application form is pretty straightforward compared to the COE, and they are a lot more lenient with it. I suggest submitting in person as they will point out anything you have missed (I forgot to date mine) or help with anything you aren't sure about, as the checklist below notes you can leave things blank if you are not sure.

As you can see on the checklist in the picture above, you need a completed application form, passport photo, passport and of course the COE. It turns out you don't need the physical COE, a printed quality scan is enough but it has to be of both sides. Unfortunately I only had a scan of one side so it was fortunately the original turned up the day before the appointment. And then the back side of mine was blank anyway!

The Japanese Consulate General

As I'm in Auckland, I fall under the jurisdiction of the Japanese Consulate General here in Auckland. They have rather rigid instruction for dealing with them as you can see for yourself here. You can apply via post or you can submit your application in person online by making an appointment.

I made my appointment for 9:30am on the 1st of May. I arrived 10 minutes early and had a chat with the nice chap manning the entry for security on the way through and was invited to take a seat and wait to be called.  I was the only one waiting yet there were staff behind the counters waiting idly, but still I had to wait for the appointment time to be called up. Bizarre.

Inside the Japanese Consulate General in Auckland

I handed my documents through the counter in the same way you pay for things at a gas station in the middle of the night and was told to take a seat. Shortly after I was called back up to add the date of application that I missed and retook my seat. A few minutes later I was called to another counter to tell me everything is fine and handed me a little blue slip which was a receipt, that I have to bring with me to collect my passport in approximately two weeks time.

Success!

On the 11th of May I received via email a 'Visa collection Notice'. The email states the visa has been approved and my passport is ready for collection. When you go to collect you need to bring the little blue receipt that you received when you submitted the application along with a valid photo ID such as a drivers license. 

It was just 7 working days from submitting the application to it being issued and ready to collect. Much easier than the COE and i'm not even sure if it's possible to get denied the visa if your COE is valid.

Now a very very important thing to note is that the visa under 'no. of entries' says 'single' This means I can only use it once. If I leave Japan for any reason and intend to go back, I would need to apply for a 'Special Re-entry Permission' at the airport when departing. If you fail to do this, you would need to apply for everything from scratch - yes that means the COE application too.

I hope this post was useful in providing some insight into the Visa application process, particularly as unlike my COE which was quite specific for applying as a Spouse of a Japanese National, the Visa form appears to be generic.